Why does Approved Document B need to be reviewed?

Fire continues to be one of the biggest threats to UK homes and businesses, resulting in over 300 deaths and costing an estimated £9 billion in damage annually.

Fire continues to be one of the biggest threats to UK homes and businesses, resulting in over 300 deaths and costing an estimated £9 billion in damage annually. Worryingly, most recent figures show there was a 15% increase in the number of people who died during 2015/2016 as a result of fires and a 5% increase in the number of fires attended. We are at risk of becoming complacent at a time when vigilance is needed most. At the same time, changes in technology, construction and design mean that the built environment and how we use it has changed significantly in the last decade and is set to continue.

The last review of the building regulations guidance Approved Document B (ADB) was carried out in 2006. The pace of transformation of construction and design, coupled with the continued threat of fire, means that the ten-year-old building guidance is out of date. This urgently needs to be reviewed, with a plan for regular review put in place, to ensure the continued fire safety of building users.